What is the core material of the Pirastro Chorda D string?

The string features a core made from sheep gut. This traditional material is chosen for its ability to produce a warm sound with complex harmonics typical of classical and baroque music.

Is this string wound or unwound?

The Pirastro Chorda 19.75 D string is unwound. This plain gut construction provides an authentic feel and an expressive, unaltered tone.

What does the 19.75 gauge signify?

The 19.75 gauge indicates a heavy tension. This is specifically designed for musicians who have a naturally forceful bowing technique and require more resistance.

Which violin size is this string compatible with?

This specific model is designed for full-size (4/4) violins. It is not intended for use on fractional size instruments like 3/4 or 1/2 violins.

What type of tailpiece end does the string have?

The string has an unknotted tailpiece end. This is a traditional design that requires the musician to manually knot the string to secure it to the tailpiece.

What kind of sound does the Pirastro Chorda series produce?

The series is known for a warm, soft sound that is commonly associated with traditional classical pieces. The unwound gut core allows for a high degree of harmonic complexity.

How does this string compare to the D'Addario Zyex D string?

The D'Addario Zyex D uses a synthetic core with aluminum winding, offering modern stability. In contrast, the Chorda is unwound sheep gut, offering a more traditional and expressive response for period performance.

Is this string suitable for modern orchestral playing?

While it can be used, it is primarily designed for traditional and historical performance. Its unwound gut construction is intended for players seeking an authentic period sound.

Does the heavy gauge affect playability?

Yes, the heavy tension makes the string feel firmer under the fingers and bow. It is designed to remain comfortable for those with a more powerful playing style.

Can this string be used for picking styles?

Yes, the manufacturer states that these strings have a dynamic range of responses that can be utilised in both picking and bowing applications.

How does the Chorda D compare to the D'Addario Helicore D?

The Helicore is a steel-core string designed for clarity and quick response, often in smaller sizes. The Chorda is a full-size gut string focused on warmth and historical authenticity.

What is the typical price for this individual string?

The typical price range for the Pirastro Chorda 19.75 Violin D string is approximately GBP 18. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer.

Gear article

Pirastro Chorda 19.75 Violin D String (Heavy Gauge)

The Pirastro Chorda 19.75 Violin D String is a premium, unwound sheep gut string designed for period performance on full-size violins. As part of the Chorda series, it features a heavy tension gauge tailored for traditional musicians with a forceful bowing technique, delivering a warm, complex harmonic profile.

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Overview and Construction

The Pirastro Chorda 19.75 D string is engineered specifically for the requirements of Baroque and Classical music performance. It is constructed with a core of high-quality sheep gut and remains unwound, a design choice that prioritises an authentic feel and a more expressive response compared to modern synthetic strings. The 19.75 gauge represents a heavy tension, providing increased resistance under the bow.

Historical Performance and Tonal Character

Part of the wider Chorda series, this string is designed to offer the traditional performance characteristic of the pre-Romantic era. The use of pure gut results in a soft, warm sound enriched by a wide range of complex harmonics. Because the string is unaltered by metal winding, it provides a dynamic range of responses that allows for highly nuanced articulation in both bowing and fingerwork.

Application and Playability

The heavy gauge of the 19.75 model is particularly suited to violinists who employ a naturally heavy or forceful bowing style. While gut strings are often associated with delicate playability, the increased tension of this heavy variant offers a more robust feel. The string is supplied with an unknotted tailpiece end, requiring the performer to tie the appropriate knot for their specific tailpiece setup, as is standard with traditional gut strings.

Comparison to Alternatives

Within the Pirastro range and the wider market, the Chorda D stands in contrast to modern alternatives like the D'Addario Zyex Aluminum D or the D'Addario Helicore D. While those strings utilize synthetic or steel cores with metal windings for stability and brightness, the Chorda relies on pure gut for tonal depth and authentic texture. Compared to medium gauge gut strings, the 19.75 heavy gauge offers higher tension and a denser sound profile, suited for instruments that require more energy to drive the soundboard.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the core material of the Pirastro Chorda D string?: The string features a core made from sheep gut. This traditional material is chosen for its ability to produce a warm sound with complex harmonics typical of classical and baroque music.
Is this string wound or unwound?: The Pirastro Chorda 19.75 D string is unwound. This plain gut construction provides an authentic feel and an expressive, unaltered tone.
What does the 19.75 gauge signify?: The 19.75 gauge indicates a heavy tension. This is specifically designed for musicians who have a naturally forceful bowing technique and require more resistance.
Which violin size is this string compatible with?: This specific model is designed for full-size (4/4) violins. It is not intended for use on fractional size instruments like 3/4 or 1/2 violins.
What type of tailpiece end does the string have?: The string has an unknotted tailpiece end. This is a traditional design that requires the musician to manually knot the string to secure it to the tailpiece.
What kind of sound does the Pirastro Chorda series produce?: The series is known for a warm, soft sound that is commonly associated with traditional classical pieces. The unwound gut core allows for a high degree of harmonic complexity.
How does this string compare to the D'Addario Zyex D string?: The D'Addario Zyex D uses a synthetic core with aluminum winding, offering modern stability. In contrast, the Chorda is unwound sheep gut, offering a more traditional and expressive response for period performance.
Is this string suitable for modern orchestral playing?: While it can be used, it is primarily designed for traditional and historical performance. Its unwound gut construction is intended for players seeking an authentic period sound.
Does the heavy gauge affect playability?: Yes, the heavy tension makes the string feel firmer under the fingers and bow. It is designed to remain comfortable for those with a more powerful playing style.
Can this string be used for picking styles?: Yes, the manufacturer states that these strings have a dynamic range of responses that can be utilised in both picking and bowing applications.
How does the Chorda D compare to the D'Addario Helicore D?: The Helicore is a steel-core string designed for clarity and quick response, often in smaller sizes. The Chorda is a full-size gut string focused on warmth and historical authenticity.
What is the typical price for this individual string?: The typical price range for the Pirastro Chorda 19.75 Violin D string is approximately GBP 18. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer.